Safe to reuse old spokes?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 777
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From: Potomac, MD
Bikes: 2012 GT Transeo 3 2014 Cannondale CAAD 10 105
Safe to reuse old spokes?
Not being a wheel builder (or even remotely knowledgable), I'm curious as to if one could resell or reuse old spokes?
I just dismantled an old wheel and was wondering if it was safe to reuse them on a new wheel?
I just dismantled an old wheel and was wondering if it was safe to reuse them on a new wheel?
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,643
Likes: 68
From: Portland OR
Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997
I asked a similar question (here and IRL/in real life) and was told
- if the spokes were not breaking, then it is worth a try, not an ideal thing but not a terrible idea
- it is best to sort the spokes into leading and trailing and use them in the same manner
I subsequently built a wheel re-using old spokes (that I forgot to sort) and it has been fine.
Then again, most spokes are not so expensive so there isn't a great reason to do this.
- if the spokes were not breaking, then it is worth a try, not an ideal thing but not a terrible idea
- it is best to sort the spokes into leading and trailing and use them in the same manner
I subsequently built a wheel re-using old spokes (that I forgot to sort) and it has been fine.
Then again, most spokes are not so expensive so there isn't a great reason to do this.
#3
Really Old Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,681
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From: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds. 2019 Giant Explore E+3
I flip bikes on CL and have made "serviceable" wheels out of various parts of junk wheels. A good hub from this & a good rim from that and have used old spokes. I'm retired and have more time than money, BTW-
Whenever I junk a wheel, I strip the spokes IF they are stainless, a length I'm short on and look OK.
I wouldn't think about buying or selling used spokes or using non stainless.
Whenever I junk a wheel, I strip the spokes IF they are stainless, a length I'm short on and look OK.
I wouldn't think about buying or selling used spokes or using non stainless.
#4
I rebuild wheels with used spokes all the time. However, these are on wheels that I originally built, so:
1. I know that the spokes are good quality
2. I know that the wheel was built to a high standard, correctly tensioned and well cared for
3. I sort the spokes into "inner" and "outer" sets when disassembling the wheel, so they go back in the same orientation
All of these might not be true on a random set of used spokes.
When I worked in a shop, we would cut out old spokes with cutters and dispose of them. It wasn't worth the time to carefully disassemble the wheel to save the old ones.
1. I know that the spokes are good quality
2. I know that the wheel was built to a high standard, correctly tensioned and well cared for
3. I sort the spokes into "inner" and "outer" sets when disassembling the wheel, so they go back in the same orientation
All of these might not be true on a random set of used spokes.
When I worked in a shop, we would cut out old spokes with cutters and dispose of them. It wasn't worth the time to carefully disassemble the wheel to save the old ones.
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#6
Enjoy yourself. Wheelbuilding is fun, but it can also be a lifetime addiction.
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